The Portland daily press., 1887-12-09

tne secretary, IOr tHe country W Oo uoPeA
dent upon any other nation for its imple-
ments Of war. Such implements are contra
band in time of conflict and could not then
be procured from abroad, while the time re-
ouired to prepare plant would make 1t I'M
possible to extemporize a manufactory LOT
the occasion, and yet, with0ut armer, anu
without higher powered guns, in the present
state of the art no respectable contest could
be carried on, and the country would be SUD
stantially defenceless.
Realizing this the department made con-
tract with the Bethlehem Iron Company Tor
plant for the production OF armor and gun
steel. The Secretary believes that our pri.
vate shipyardS can produce war ships equal
and perhaps superior to those produced else
where, and so the ship building interest be
greatly stimulated.
THE PNEUMATIC GUN.
The pneumatic gun has demonstrated that
by the use Of pneumatic power projectiles
containing large quantities of high explos-
ives can be fired with safety and considera-
BILE accuracy, distance of between one and
two miles.
Whatever destruction a torpedo can do
this projectile can do. II accurately placed.
Against its method Of attack neither nets nor
machine guns are Of any considerable use.
yond the effective range of machine guns,
and the line of flight of its projectile escapes
nets. There are questions yet to be settled
before its efficiency for naval purposes can
be fully determined. This invention, like
every other, has its own peculiar problems
TO solve, but the zeal and intelligence thus
far given to its development promise uiti-
mate success.
For coast and harbor defence, to be fired
from land batteries, its accuracy Is substan-
TALLY established. but for naval purposes
other elements Of difficulty intervene. The
movement of the vessel destroys the possi-
bility of availing OF range previously de-
termined by experiment: An accurate range
ployed tor determining the distance OF OBJ
jects have required a longer base line than
can be had on board ship. Other difficulties
also arise for consideration. However, the
problems to be solved to make it thoroughly
successful for naval purposes are receiving
the most Jealous and persistent study, and 1t
is believed by those interested that in time
all will be worked out
This gun developed to its present point ex-
clusively in this country and by private en-
terprise promises to be the most notable
event Of the year. The claim made for it Is
quite revolutionary II is claimed that by
increasing the calibre of these guns an accu-
rate range of from three to four miles can be
had from land battery, and tbat pTolectiies
can be used containing not less than 400
pounds of high explosives. The present
demonstration where the accurate range of
one mile is shown renders the claim not
greatly improbable.
THE HoTcHKIss GUN.
An important arrangement has been made
with the Hotchkiss Company for furnishing
ninety Hotchkiss guns of various calibres,
with ammunition, on the condition that the
work shoul1 be done in the United States.
This action will result in the permanent es-
tablishment of new and most useful branch
of manufacture in this country. Consdera-
tion has also been given to the Improvement
OF fuses and small arms, and at the instance
of the Bureau new sample revolver has
been designed, embodying several special
features, which Is now under examination.
NAVAL RESERVE.
A public feeling seems TO exist for the Gre
alton of naval reserve. Committees of the
Chambers of Commerce Of New York and
San Francisco have passed resolutions urg-
ing the organization Of such force, as
means for providing for the coast de fence,
and meeting the increased demand, Of the
regular naval establishment for men and yes
sells upon the outbreak Of war Inquiries
have also been made at the department from
cities Of the great lakes, and meetings have
been held in cities Of the South endorsing
the formation Of such national organiza-
tion.
The department has informed itself fully
of the different systems of organization for
coast defence and naval reserves at present
in force in foreign countries, and II prepared
to formulate general plan for similar or
ganization to meet the requirements and
conditions of our own Institutions. 1t
should resemble in organization that OF the
militia or national guard, resC upon the foun-
dation Of local interest, contemplate the en-
pl0yment and rapid mobilization Of steam
ers enrolled on an auxiliary navy list, and be
calculated to produce the best results upon
comparatively small national expenditure. l
ask for this question the earnest considera-
tfon OF congress.
AUTHORITY TO CONSTRUCT NEW SHIPS.
1t has not been the custom of the depart
ment of late years to specify the forms
and characteristics of vessels recommended
to be built. 1t has seemed wise to leave the
matters to the disposition Of Congress. The
department is prepared to proceed with the
construction Of armor-clad vessels and rec
ommends the commencement sof two addi-
tional ones to cost exclusive Of armament
not exceeding S6,000,000 one to be built by
contract and one in one of the navy yards.
1t also asks for authority to build three more
fast cruisers of the highest type.
chief constructor where it is stated that in
six years but four of the present cruising
ships will remain serviceable. The present
navy, in other words, will have disappeared
at that time
Other matters discussed by the Secretary
have already been told in telegraphic
dispatches.